ABSTRACT
Electromyographic examination used for determining spontaneous activity of the muscles in patients with an injury at the level of C3-C6 showed that at the first stage the most significant sign was the presence of at least weak activity in the muscles of the lower extremities. This was usually a precursor of the successful restoration of motor functions and indicated the smallest volume of the injury and the absence of complications. At the later stages of treatment of these patients EMG revealed considerable activity in all major muscle groups ensuring walking and the maximum independence of the patient.
Subject(s)
Electromyography , Spinal Cord Injuries/physiopathology , Spinal Cord/physiopathology , Adult , Humans , Male , Muscles/physiopathology , Spinal Cord Injuries/rehabilitationSubject(s)
Foreign Bodies/complications , Inhalation , Lung , Respiration , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Female , Foreign Bodies/diagnosis , Foreign Bodies/surgery , Foreign-Body Migration/complications , Foreign-Body Migration/diagnosis , Humans , Infant , Pneumonectomy/methodsABSTRACT
Eight patients with a rupture of the spinal cord at the level of middle thoracic vertebrae or cauda equina at the lumbar level showed partial recovery of motor functions. The development of the activity was revealed by electromyography in body muscles and M. gluteus media in all the patients who attempted voluntary movements. Appearance and development of the activity was also observed in the muscles of the femur and crus. The level of rehabilitation shown by the patients was high enough. They could walk in fixation apparatuses, returned to their occupational activities and could practice self-service. The motor functions recovered more rapidly at the low levels of injury; however, the same and possibly complete rehabilitation was attained in 2 patients with a higher level of injury. The mechanism of the function recovery is underlain by the compensatory development of activity in the muscles of the body and capacity of the distal strip of the spinal cord for elaboration of new motor reactions in which the muscles of the extremities participate.
